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Blackhawks' Richards: 'I know where my place is in the lineup'

Dennis Wierzbicki / USA Today

Brad Richards probably thought his moving days were over after signing a long-term deal with the New York Rangers in 2011, but a buyout last offseason left him in limbo until the Chicago Blackhawks signed him to a one-year contract.

The veteran forward got off to a slow start in Chicago. Richards didn't score a goal until November and went seven consecutive games without recording a point in December, but he insists his Blackhawks orientation period is done.

"This is my team, and I know what the coach wants and expects, and I know where my place is in the lineup, so a lot of the guessing and trying to figure things out is over," Richards told Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune. "Now, I'm just playing hockey. Getting to know the guys and all that, I can leave that part behind."

Richards has settled into a role centering the team's second line between Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp. His time on ice has taken a hit since joining Chicago, dipping more than four minutes from his final season with the Rangers, but he continues to be productive on offense, ranking 61st in the league in points per 60 minutes.

One area Richards wants to improve on is his goal-scoring. He has nine goals with Chicago, putting him on pace to finish slightly below the 20-goal plateau he has reached in nearly every season of his NHL career.

"I'm getting a lot of shots and looks, but for whatever reason I'm not putting it where I need to put it," Richards said. "I feel like I'm getting to know Kaner, and all that part is kind of over with. Now, it's just play and … I want to do more, especially when we need our points now."

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